IR Career Starters - September 2023
We're delighted that Alexander Borum, an Advisor on Political and Security Affairs for the Delegation of the European Union in Somalia, has kindly agreed for us to reproduce his periodical list of internships, traineeships, fellowships and entry-level positions in IR on our website. This month's edition again includes IR-related podcast recommendations.
It is peak summer, and despite many organisations running on fumes, significant numbers of relevant opportunities are still available in the international affairs domain for those seeking to kick in the door to a career in foreign services.
While this path is by no means an easy one, it is not an insurmountable challenge, and with dedication, passion and patience, it is a challenge that can be faced head-on. Often, it can take months, if not years, to properly get into the field, and I highly advocate making the most of your time when you are job hunting.
Treating your job hunt as a 9-5 job is highly advisable, but you cannot spend 40 hours a week writing applications; it is all about balance. Make sure you take time to rest, have weekends and look at what you can do beyond just applying for any and all positions. Be selective and narrow your efforts to realistic yet attractive goals; a few internships are great, but anything more quickly becomes detrimental. Look at profiles desired for your dream career and see how to build your profile to match this. Do relevant certifications, engage with like-minded people and build your network, seek out a mentor and try to take steps to showcase that just because you are a job-seeker, you still do your utmost to stay connected with your field.
While I have a handful of relevant articles written to support most aspects of the job-hunting process, I am always curious about what issues and challenges you face the most; please comment below. It might be the foundation for my next guide article.
All the best,
Alex
π International Peace Institute π
ππ§πππ«π§, Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations, New York
ππ§πππ«π§, Revitalizing Multilateral Cooperation, New York
ππ§πππ«π§, External Relations, New York
π GIZ π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior-Specialist (m/f/d) for Monitoring & Evaluation, Amman
π International Crisis Group π
ππ§πππ«π§, Online Communications, Brussels
π DCAF π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications, Geneva
ππ§πππ«π§, βTowards a Holistic Security Track: Building Bridges Through SSR in Libyaβ, Geneva (2)
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Project Officer: Comparative policy research project on (Post) War SSR Reconstruction, Geneva
π Asian Investment Bank π
ππ§ππ«π², Secretariat and Operations Associate, Beijing
ππ§ππ«π², Investment Associate - Social Infrastructure, Beijing
ππ§ππ«π², Digital Program Analyst/Associate - Data Engineering, Beijing
ππ§ππ«π², Finance Associate/Officer, Loan Management, Beijing
ππ§ππ«π², Investment Associate - Infrastructure, Beijing
ππ§ππ«π², Environment Associate, Beijing
ππ§ππ«π², Social Development Associate, Beijing
π OSCE π
ππ§πππ«π§, Local Intern, Pristina
ππ§πππ«π§, SEE & West, The Hague
ππ§πππ«π§, Information and Communication Technology, Belgrade
π MSF π
ππ§πππ«π§, Mentoring and Coaching, Brussels
π Human Rights Watch π
ππ§πππ«π§, Disability Rights , -
ππ§ππ«π², Grants Coordinator, -
π European Council on Foreign Relations π
ππ§πππ«π§, Batory Foundation, Warsaw
π Council on Foreign Relations π
ππ§ππ«π², Development Associate, New York
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Editor, Foreign Affairs, New York
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, Education Creative Content, New York
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, Think Global Health
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, Center for Preventive Action
π European Army Interoperability Centre π
ππ§πππ«π§, Research, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Legal, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Communication, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Events, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Editor, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Marketing, Brussels
π Brookings Institution π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Fellow / Senior Fellow (Early Childhood Education), Center for Universal Education, Washington DC
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Fellow / Senior Fellow and Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies, Washington DC
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Fellow / Senior Fellow (Climate and Education), Center for Universal Education, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Communications and Outreach Assistant, The Hamilton Project, Washington DC
π RAND Corporation π
ππ§ππ«π², Administrative Assistant (Security Clearance), Santa Monica
ππ§ππ«π², Administrative Assistant, Santa Monica
ππ§ππ«π², Administrative Assistant (Security Clearance), Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Administrative Assistant, Pittsburg
ππ§ππ«π², Administrative Assistant, Santa Monica
ππ§ππ«π², Survey Assistant, -
π Carnegie Endowment for International Peace π
ππ§πππ«π§, Research, Beirut
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications, Beirut
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, Washington DC
π CSIS π
ππ§πππ«π§, Social Media and Outreach - International Security Program, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Presidentβs Office, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Events and Outreach - Global Health Policy Center, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Southeast Asia Program, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Australia Chair, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Multimedia Production - iDeas Lab, External Relations, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Freeman Chair in China Studies, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Japan Chair, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Korea Chair, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Scholl Chair in International Business, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, Washington DC
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Data Science Fellow - iDeas Lab, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate (Pandemic Preparedness and Response)-Global Health Policy Center, Washington DC
π Geneva Centre for Security Policy π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Professional Officer - Peace Operations and Peacebuilding Programme, Geneva
π Green Climate Fund π
ππ§πππ«π§, Operational Control, Incheon
π ActionAid Denmark π
ππ§ππ«π², Monitoring & Outcome Harvesting Support to ActionAid Denmark International Programmes, -
π One Earth Future π
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, US-China PAX Sapiens, Bloomfield
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, Pandemic Prevention PAX Sapiens, Bloomfield
π Asia-Europe Foundation π
ππ§πππ«π§, General, Singapore
π Halo Trust π
ππ§πππ«π§, Advocacy, -
ππ§ππ«π², Junior ERP Systems Administrator, -
ππ§ππ«π², Philanthropy Assistant, -
π IAEA π
ππ§ππ«π², Project Assistant, Vienna
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Safeguards Asset Management Officer(P2), Vienna
π Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization π
ππ§πππ«π§, Capacity Building and Training Section (IDC), Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Software Applications Section (IDC), Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Network and Systems Support Section (IMS), Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, International Monitoring System Division, Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Budget and Finance Section, Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Procurement Section, Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, On-Site Inspection Division, Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, External Relations, Protocol and International Cooperation Section, Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Public Information Section, Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Human Resources Services (Staff Administration Unit), Vienna
ππ§πππ«π§, Human Resources Services (Recruitment and Staff Development Unit), Vienna
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Treasury Officer (P-2), Vienna
π Asian Development Bank π
ππ§πππ«π§, (CWRD/KYRM)- Kyrgyz Resident Mission, Bishkek
ππ§πππ«π§, (EARD/PRCM) - Economics Research Assistant, Beijing
ππ§πππ«π§, (SG)- Sectors Group Energy Sector Office, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (SG) - Sectors Group Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (CCSD/CCRC)- Regional Cooperation and Integration and Trade Division, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (PSOD/PSIF2)- Infrastructure Finance Division, Bangkok
ππ§πππ«π§, (SARD/SLRM)- Sri Lanka Resident Mission, Colombo
ππ§πππ«π§, (SG)- Sectors Group, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (CCSD/NGOC)- NGO and Civil Society Center, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (OSFG/OSR2) - Office of Safeguards, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (IED/IETC) - Thematic and Country Division, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (ORM/RMPA)- Risk Policy and Architecture Division, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (PPFD/PFP2)- Procurement Division, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (SG) - Sectors Group Transport Sector Office, Manila
ππ§πππ«π§, (CCSD/CCGE)- Gender Equality Division, Manila
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Investment Officer, Manila
ππ§ππ«π², (Associate) Water Resources Officer, Manila
ππ§ππ«π², (Associate) Operations Officer, Manila
ππ§ππ«π², (Associate) Project Officer, Manila
ππ§ππ«π², (Associate) Economics Officer, Manila
π EBRD π
ππ§πππ«π§, General, London
ππ§ππ«π², Associate, SAP
ππ§ππ«π², Associate, Administrative External Investigations, London
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Advisor, Change & Donor Reporting, London
π New Climate Institute π
ππ§πππ«π§, Tracking climate action, Cologne
π Consortium On Gender, Security & Human Rights π
ππ§πππ«π§, Research and Administrative, Boston
ππ§πππ«π§, Social Media and Communications, Boston
ππ§πππ«π§, Graphic Design, Boston
π European Environmental Bureau π
ππ§πππ«π§, Circular Economy Assistant (Cip Internship), Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications Assistant For Chemicals And Mercury (Cip Internship), Brussels
ππ§ππ«π², Policy Assistant For Climate And Energy (Cip), Brussels
π European Energy Research Alliance π
ππ§πππ«π§, Project Management, Brussels
ππ§ππ«π², Early-Career Researcher, Brussels
π DrΓ₯pen I havet π
ππ§πππ«π§, Voluntary Fieldworker, -
ππ§πππ«π§, Community Empowerment Mobilization (CEM) - Nea Kavala
ππ§πππ«π§, Humanitarian Aid with DiH, Nea Kavala
π SOLIDAR π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, International Cooperation Fellow, Brussels
π EGMONT Institute π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications & Events, Brussels
π Bruegel π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Visiting Fellowships, Brussels
ππ§ππ«π², Research assistant, Brussels
ππ§ππ«π², Research assistant on Energy and Climate, Brussels
π Seed Madagascar π
ππ§πππ«π§, Operations and Administration, Fort Dauphin
ππ§πππ«π§, UK Programmes & Office Assistant, Remote
ππ§πππ«π§, Volunteer Website Editor, Remote
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications Assistant, Remote
π International Republican Institute π
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate (East Asia-Pacific), Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Senior Program Associate - The Arab Gulf States, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Senior MEL Associate, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate - The Arab Gulf States, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate - Syria, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate - North Macedonia, Skopje
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate, Kosovo, -
π MANUSHYA Foundation π
ππ§πππ«π§, Human Rights Research & Advocacy Assistant, Bangkok
ππ§πππ«π§, Human Rights Research & Advocacy (Corporate Accountability & Climate Justice), Bangkok
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Paralegal, Bangkok
ππ§ππ«π², Democracy & Digital Rights Associate (Thailand), Bangkok
π ILGA World π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Professional Consultants on United Nations advocacy (2)
π Altai Consulting π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Analyst, Dakar
π ICTJ π
ππ§πππ«π§, Programs, New York
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications, New York
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, ICTJ Brussels/The Hague
π IFRC π
ππ§πππ«π§, Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction, Beirut
ππ§πππ«π§, Community Engagement and Accountability, US
ππ§πππ«π§, Surge Capacity, Geneva
π Syria Justice and Accountability Center π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Legal Fellow, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate, Washington DC
π MyAgro π
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate, Thies/Dakar/Bamako (30)
ππ§ππ«π², Seed Supply Associate, Bamako
ππ§ππ«π², M&E Associate, Bamako
ππ§ππ«π², Research and Development Associate, Bamako
ππ§ππ«π², Knowledge Management Associate, Dakar
ππ§ππ«π², Human Resources Junior Associate, Thies
ππ§ππ«π², Sales Training Associate, Thies
ππ§ππ«π², Agriculture Curriculum Associate, Thies
ππ§ππ«π², Agroforestry Associate, Thies
π Fortify Rights π
ππ§ππ«π², Operations Associate, Bangkok
ππ§ππ«π², Thailand Human Rights Associate, Bangkok
ππ§ππ«π², Ukraine Human Rights Associate, Kiev
ππ§ππ«π², Myanmar Human Rights Associate, Bangkok
π NDI π
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- Central and Eastern Europe, Washington DC (3)
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- Citizen Participation and Inclusion, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- Latin America and the Caribbean, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- Democracy and Technology, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate -- Latin America and the Caribbean, Washington DC (3)
ππ§ππ«π², Subgrants Assistant -- Citizen Participation, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate -- Asia-Pacific, Washington DC (2)
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant-MENA (Part-Time), Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- Elections, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate -- Southern and East Africa, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate -- Middle East North Africa, Washington DC (2)
ππ§ππ«π², Project Assistant -- Asia, Washington DC (5)
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate -- Eurasia, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- Central and West Africa (Francophone), Washington DC (3)
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Project Assistant -- CEWA (Anglophone), Washington DC (2)
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate -- CEWA (Multiple Openings), Washington DC (5)
π United Nations University π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Research Fellow and Academic Associate, Water and Resource Management, Tokyo
ππ§ππ«π², Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable (GS5), Putrajaya
ππ§ππ«π², Human Resources Assistant (NPSA), Putrajaya
ππ§ππ«π², Human Resources Associate (GS6), Putrajaya
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Academic Officer β Vulnerability & Impact-based Early Warning, Bonn
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate βSpatial Vulnerability Assessment (PSA-3), Bonn
ππ§ππ«π², Human Resources Associate, Dresden
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Assistant, Biodiversity and Society, Tokyo
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Associate (partnership and negotiation), Biodiversity and Society, Tokyo
π Transparency International π
ππ§ππ«π², Project Associate, Berlin
π ISHR π
ππ§πππ«π§, Geneva Programme, Geneva
ππ§πππ«π§, New York Programme, New York
π ADPC π
ππ§ππ«π², Technical Junior Level Support, Islamabad
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant - Remote Sensing Of Air Quality, Bangkok
ππ§ππ«π², Climate Resilience Technical Associate, Islamabad
ππ§ππ«π², Climate Resilience Technical Associate, Kathmandu
ππ§ππ«π², Climate Resilience Technical Associate, Dhaka
π Think Triangle π
ππ§πππ«π§, General, Beirut
π People in Need π
ππ§πππ«π§, Pin Volunteer Programme And Grants Support
π Freedom House π
ππ§ππ«π², Senior Program Associate, Europe & Eurasia, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Senior Program Associate - Latin America and the Caribbean, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Senior Program Associate - Asia Programs, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Senior Program Associate - Asia Religious and Ethnic Freedom, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Business Development Associate, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate - The Gambia
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant - Khartoum, Sudan
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate - Bogota, Colombia
π Search for Common Ground π
ππ§πππ«π§, Finance, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, European Affairs and Partnerships, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Global Programs Project Management, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, CEA Grants Management, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Program Implementation, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, General, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Iraq Country Office, Erbil
ππ§πππ«π§, Women Peace and Security, Washington DC
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate, Erbil
π GAIN π
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Associate, Nairobi
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Assistant, Programme Services Team (Procurement & Project Support), New Delhi
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Assistant, Programme Services Team (Events & Travel Support), New Delhi
π Childs Rights Connect π
ππ§πππ«π§, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Geneva
π Forum ASIA π
ππ§ππ«π², South Asia Programme Associate, Bangkok
π The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies π
ππ§πππ«π§, HCSS Datalab, The Hague
π Asia Foundation π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Associate, Leadership and Exchanges, San Francisco
π Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue π
ππ§ππ«π², Cyber-Dialogue Project Associate, Geneva/Remote
π IMPACT Initiatives π
ππ§πππ«π§, Audits, Geneva
ππ§πππ«π§, Data, Geneva
ππ§πππ«π§, Grants Management and Project Development, Geneva
ππ§πππ«π§, HUB/Logistics, Geneva
π HIAS π
ππ§πππ«π§, Global Programs, Silver Spring
ππ§ππ«π², Operations Assistant - Oranjestad, Aruba
ππ§ππ«π², Operations Associate, HIAS Moldova, Chisinau
ππ§ππ«π², Resettlement Case Associate, Austin
ππ§ππ«π², Data Protection Associate, LAC, Remote
π ACTED π
ππ§πππ«π§, Democratic Republic of the Congo : Country Security Volunteer β Kinshasa
ππ§πππ«π§, France : Vetting Intern β Paris
ππ§πππ«π§, Whole of Syria: Country MEAL Volunteer β Amman
ππ§πππ«π§, Whole of Syria: Country Logistics Volunteer β Amman
ππ§πππ«π§, Democratic Republic of the Congo: MEAL Volunteer β Kinshasa
ππ§πππ«π§, Moldova: Country Finance Volunteer β Chisinau
ππ§ππ«π², Mozambique: Country Finance Officer- Pemba
ππ§ππ«π², Armenia: Project Development Officer β Yerevan
ππ§ππ«π², Afghanistan: MEAL Officer β Kabul
ππ§ππ«π², Sudan: Country Finance Officer
ππ§ππ«π², Haiti: Country Finance Officer β Port-au-Prince
ππ§ππ«π², Whole of Syria: Project Development Officer β Amman
ππ§ππ«π², Yemen : Country Transparency & Compliance Officer β Aden
ππ§ππ«π², Horn of Africa: Country Security Officer β Mogadishu
ππ§ππ«π², Ethiopia: Country Transparency & Compliance Officer β Addis Ababa
ππ§ππ«π², Democratic Republic of the Congo: MEAL Officer β Bukavu or Kalemie
ππ§ππ«π², Central African Republic: Country Security Officer β Bangui
ππ§ππ«π², France: MEAL Officer β Paris
π Access Now π
ππ§ππ«π², Policy Associate, Brussels
π National Endowment for Democracy π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications And Public Engagement / Fall 2023, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, World Movement For Democracy (Wmd) / Fall 2023, Washington DC
ππ§πππ«π§, Africa / Fall 2023, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer, Europe, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer, Africa, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Grants Assistant, Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associates, Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program 2023β2024, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, Europe, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Officer/Assistant Program Officer, Eurasia, Washington DC
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, International Forum For Democratic Studies (Ifds), Washington DC
π Climate Action Network π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Data Analyst, Brussels
π GFI π
ππ§ππ«π², Operations Assistant, Brussels
π ICMPD π
ππ§ππ«π², Team Assistant, Ankara
ππ§ππ«π², Team Assistant, Tunis
ππ§ππ«π², Project Management Assistant, Brussels
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Project Officer β (Gaziantep), Remote
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Project Officer β (Bursa), Remote
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Project Officer β (Konya), Remote
ππ§ππ«π², Team Assistant, Valetta
π EUFORES π
ππ§πππ«π§, Project and Event Management, Brussels
ππ§πππ«π§, Members, Funding and Communication, Brussels
π Centre for European Policy Studies π
ππ«ππ’π§ππ, ECMI Research Traineeship Programme, Brussels
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, ECMI Visiting Researcher Programme, Brussels
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant β Cybersecurity@CEPS Initiative, Brussels
IR Podcast Recommendations
Episode: Who is the Real Xi Jinping?
Podcast: Intelligence Squared with Kerry Brown
Drawing from rare first-hand interviews and Chinese sources little known to the outside world, Brown discussed Xiβs tumultuous early life from his birth into the elite to his being sent to a remote village for βre-educationβ and hard labour during the Cultural Revolution when his father was purged and imprisoned. Brown explored the development of Xiβs political philosophy and how his pious worship of Mao Zedong has shaped him as a leader. He examined the cult of personality built around Xi in recent years and explain what decisions like abolishing term limits on the Chinese presidency and incorporating βXi Jinping Thoughtβ into the constitution tell us about the direction of Xiβs China.
Submitted by: Jonathan Tavenier
Episode: The shifting geopolitics of Central Asia - with Raffaello Pantucci
Podcast: World Review from the New Statesman
The relationship between China and Russia has been a hot topic of debate in recent years, yet mainstream discourse remains relatively shallow and superficial regarding the region where both powers battle for influence: Central Asia. The regional order is undergoing significant changes, and understanding those dynamics requires a close examination of the countries, politics, and dynamics involved. This episode is a good and accessible start to that investigation for students and practitioners alike.
Submitted by: Marnix Middelburg